Filmmakers used a variety of techniques to create the illusion of cars dramatically falling apart in older movies. These included pre-cutting and weakening parts of the car's body, strategically placed explosives for impactful breakaways, and using lighter materials like balsa wood or fiberglass for certain components. Sometimes, entire cars were constructed specifically for stunts, built with weaker structures and designed to collapse easily on impact. These methods, combined with clever camera angles and editing, conveyed a convincing sense of destruction without endangering the stunt performers.
The Stack Exchange post, titled "How did they make cars fall apart in old movies (2017)", inquires about the techniques employed by filmmakers in the past, specifically pre-CGI era, to create the illusion of vehicles dramatically disintegrating or breaking apart during filmed sequences, often for comedic or action-packed effect. The author expresses curiosity about the methods used to achieve this visual spectacle, wondering if pre-planned weakening of the car's structure was involved, or if other specialized mechanisms, perhaps involving cables or other rigging, were implemented to facilitate the seemingly spontaneous disintegration. The question specifically highlights the era before widespread computer-generated imagery (CGI) became a standard practice in the film industry, focusing on the practical effects methods utilized by filmmakers. The author seeks a detailed explanation of the tricks and procedures that allowed for such dramatic vehicle breakdowns to be captured on film, suspecting that careful pre-production planning and execution were key components in creating this convincing effect. They seem particularly interested in understanding the balance between actual structural compromise of the vehicles and the potential use of supplementary devices or techniques to enhance the visual impact of the disintegration.
Summary of Comments ( 78 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42679127
Hacker News users discussed various methods used in older films to create the illusion of cars dramatically falling apart during crashes. Several commenters emphasized the use of strategically placed explosives, cables, and pre-weakened parts like bumpers and doors, often held together with easily-breakable balsa wood or piano wire. Some highlighted the lower speeds used in filming, allowing for more controlled destruction and less risk to stunt performers. Others pointed to the exaggerated nature of these breakups for comedic or dramatic effect, not aiming for realism. The overall consensus was that a combination of practical effects tailored to the specific shot created the desired over-the-top disintegration of vehicles seen in classic movies. A few users also mentioned the difference in car construction then versus now, with older cars being built less rigidly, contributing to the effect.
The Hacker News post titled "How did they make cars fall apart in old movies (2017)" links to a Stack Exchange discussion on the same topic. The discussion on Hacker News itself is relatively brief, containing only a handful of comments, not enough to offer a range of compelling perspectives. Therefore, a summary of the "most compelling" isn't truly feasible.
The comments primarily focus on the practicality and realism of the depicted car breakdowns. One commenter points out the contrast between meticulously planned stunts and the seemingly spontaneous disintegration of vehicles, noting how the cars often fall apart more dramatically than one would expect in a real accident. Another commenter adds to this observation, suggesting that the exaggerated break-downs are likely for comedic effect, enhancing the physical comedy common in these older films. Essentially, the flimsy construction wasn't accidental but a deliberate choice to amplify the humor.
One comment briefly touches upon the topic of planned obsolescence in the auto industry, suggesting a potential (though likely unrelated) connection between the easily-destroyed movie cars and the perceived decreasing lifespan of real vehicles. However, this idea isn't explored further in the thread.
Overall, the comments on Hacker News don't delve deep into the technical aspects of how these movie effects were achieved. Instead, they primarily offer observations about the perceived exaggerated nature of the car breakdowns and their likely purpose within the comedic context of the films.